Tikamgarh Lok Sabha constituency in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh was largely peaceful. The seat, which is reserved for candidates from scheduled caste categories, registered 64.89% turnout on Monday, in the fifth phase of the ongoing general election.
Tikamgarh, which was one of the seven seats that polled on Monday, saw six-time Member of Parliament and union minister Virendra Kumar of the Bharatiya Janata Party pitted against Congress’ Kiran Ahirwar. The contest was made into a triangular one with former BJP legislator R D Prajapati entering the fray on a Samajwadi Party ticket.
As in Uttar Pradesh, the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party are in alliance in this state. Kumar won the seat in 2009 and 2014 general elections.
Residents of more than half a dozen villages boycotted polls on account of water scarcity and pollution of water sources.
Chief Electoral Officer of the state, VL Kantha Rao said that people of Babai village boycotted the polls because they wanted a stone quarry near their village to be closed down, as people were falling ill due to the pollution spread by the quarry.
In Baroragaon and Pilagaon, villagers boycotted the polls due to water scarcity. Rao said that officials were rushed to these villages to convince the people to vote. Till 3 pm, around 52.56% had voted from this seat.
{{/usCountry}}In Baroragaon and Pilagaon, villagers boycotted the polls due to water scarcity. Rao said that officials were rushed to these villages to convince the people to vote. Till 3 pm, around 52.56% had voted from this seat.
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